PENN STATE HARRISBURG SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES PRESENTS:
Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
Directed by Maria Enriquez
Music Director Genevieve Karki
April 6-9, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
April 9, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
(Sensory-Friendly Production)
Performed live at the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre
Masks are optional for all Kulkarni Theatre events.
Contains adult content
A Special Thank You to the Following for Their Generous Support:
- Dr. John Mason Jr.
- Dr. Omid Ansary
- Dr. Jeffrey Beck
- Marie-Louise Abrams
- The Pennsylvania State University
- Penn State Harrisburg Student Affairs
- Penn State Harrisburg Capital Players
- Dan Poeschl
- Teri Guerrisi and the Penn State Harrisburg Box Office
- The Penn State Harrisburg Marketing Department
- Mary Ann Claraval
- Susquehanna Township High School
- Theatre Harrisburg
- Gamut Theatre
- Dream Wrights Center for Community Arts
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Welcome to the Penn State Harrisburg School of Humanities production of Little Shop of Horrors! This has been such a delightful show to work on. The satirical comedy, nostalgic 1960s rock music, and giant, blood-thirsty puppet… all of it has made Little Shop an enduringly popular musical. After the 1982 off-Broadway (very off) premier, the show’s lyricist Howard Ashman credited the public appeal to the story’s wide inclusion of “science fiction, ‘B’ movies, musical comedy itself, and even the Faust legend.” The musical played for over 5 years and was made even more popular with the 1986 movie starring Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene, which has since developed a cult following.
Yet, underneath the campy horror is a quietly sad circumstance that serves as a moving warning to the viewer. Early in the show, Seymour sings “Someone show me a way to get out of here… Someone give me my shot or I’ll rot here!” However, the desperation of the mild-mannered Seymour unfortunately grows into an uncontained greed with devastating consequences, and it reminds the audience to investigate our own hearts and pull the weeds that may be taking root. A quick look at what is happening in the world easily shows the pain and destruction caused from a power-hungry quest for more. Little Shop is a surprisingly sharp critique on the dangers of greed and materialism under the façade of a silly, fun show.
Thank you for being with us tonight. It continues to be a privilege and a joy to be back in the Kulkarni Theatre, enjoying live theatre as a uniquely communal experience. I hope you enjoy the work of our immensely talented and dedicated students, faculty, and staff. And above all, after you leave the Kulkarni Theatre, remember… Don’t Feed The Plants!
Maria Enriquez
Director
Sensory Friendly Performance
Saturday, April 9, 2:00 p.m.
Penn State Harrisburg Theatre strives to make its performances and facilities accessible to all patrons. To broaden our accessibility, we are offering one designated Sensory Friendly Performance. These shows - whether called autism-friendly, sensory friendly, or relaxed - are dedicated performances with a focus on those individuals on the autism spectrum or with other developmental or cognitive disabilities or sensory sensitivity. Sensory Friendly Performances are also beneficial for those with small children or those who are experiencing theatre for the first time.
The intention for Sensory Friendly Performances is to provide a safe, judgment-free space that minimizes potentially triggering theatrical elements while maintaining the integrity of the production.
This performance will feature several accommodations, including a quiet room available 60 minutes before and during the performance; the seating area will open early to allow plenty of time to find and settle into seating, and lights will be kept on dim to create a relaxed atmosphere. Additionally, abrupt sounds and lighting changes have been minimized while maintaining the integrity of the show. Please see the handout for more information.
A sensory friendly production handout will be available for patrons attending the Saturday matinee. We hope these steps enhance your theatrical experience at Penn State Harrisburg!
THE CAST
Seymour........................................................................................................... Peter Cote
Audrey.........................................................................................................Myah Koepfer
Mushnik (U/S Seymour)...............................................................................M. Schreiber
Orin; Wino 2; Patrick Martin ....................................................................Brendan Christ
Voice of the Plant (Audrey II); Wino 4.............................................................Jack Sisco
Puppeteer of the Plant (Audrey II); Wino 1 (U/S Mushnik).........................Grant Komm
Ronnette............................................................................................Ashleigh Cummings
Crystal .............................................................................................................Laine Blatt
Chiffon.........................................................................................................Lase Mayowa
A Voice Not Unlike God’s; Customer; Bernstein; ....................................Bryan Bennett
Ensemble 1 (U/S Orin)
Interviewer; Agent Skip Snip; Ensemble 2.........................................Kelleigh Stevenson
Wino 3; Mrs. Luce; Ensemble 3..........................................................Maddie Steverman
Audrey (U/S)................................................................................................Katelyn Isbill
Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon (U/S)..........................................................Grace Jentsch
THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager:................................................................................Maria Enriquez
Director:...................................................................................................Maria Enriquez
Asst. Director:............................................................................................Thomas Perry
Music Director:.....................................................................................Genevieve Karki
Choreographer:........................................................................................Wally Calderon
Fight & Intimacy Choreographer:...................................................................Dan Burke
Production Stage Manager:....................................................................Mark Shelleman
1st Asst. Stage Manager:..............................................................................Sophy Leiva
2nd Asst. Stage Manager:................................................................................Lily Kelly
3rd Asst. Stage Manager:...............................................................................Bella Walls
Scenic Designer:.......................................................................................Matthew Mitra
Lighting Designer:....................................................................................Matthew Mitra
Asst. Lighting Designer:........................................................................Brittany Graham
Costume Designer:..................................................................................Stephanie Jones
Hair/Makeup Designer:...................................................................................Alex Birks
Technical Director:....................................................................................Matthew Mitra
Asst. Technical Director:..........................................................................Abigail Palaski
Projection Designer:.................................................................................Jesse Goranson
Projection Designer:................................................................................Elizabeth Lynch
Properties Designer:.................................................................................Rebecca Arney
Master Electrician:..................................................................................Valerie Frigerio
Scenic Charge Artist:..............................................................................Emily Dempsey
Light Board Programmer:.................................................................Bauddhik Pokharna
Arts Manager/Front of House:.....................................................................Teri Guerrisi
Box Office Manager................................................................................Emily Dempsey
Music Consultant...................................................................................Adam Gustafson
Fight Captain..............................................................................................Thomas Perry
Dance Captain.................................................................................................Laine Blatt
THE PRODUCTION CREW:
Production Stage Manager: Booth.........................................................Mark Shelleman
1st Asst. Stage Manager:..............................................................................Sophy Leiva
2nd Asst. Stage Manager:................................................................................Lily Kelly
3rd Asst. Stage Manager:...............................................................................Bella Walls
Sound Board Operator/Engineer:..............................................................Alaina Hoover
Sound Computer Operator:..............................................................Domonique Riddick
Light Board Operator:.......................................................................Bauddhik Pokharna
Projections Computer Operator:.............................................................Oluwaseun Sule
Spotlight Operator:......................................................................................Julia Chlaifer
Spotlight Operator:.........................................................................................Bella Troisi
Wardrobe/Dresser:.................................................................................Maurielle Evans
Wardrobe/Dresser:..........................................................................Victoria Panfilovskiy
Deck Assistant:...................................................................................Christopher Lasher
Carpenter:...........................................................................................Christopher Lasher
Carpenter:.................................................................................................Brendan Christ
Painter:................................................................................................Nadia Washington
Set Crew:..........................................................................................Domonique Riddick
Set Crew:.................................................................................................Oluwaseun Sule
Set Crew:........................................................................................................Bella Troisi
Set Crew:.....................................................................................................Julia Chlaifer
Set Crew:.....................................................................................................Emory Lloyd
The Orchestra
Guitar...............................................................................................Adam Gustafson
Bass........................................................................................................Tessa Arnold
Percussion...........................................................................................Rebecca Allen
Keyboard.........................................................................................Genevieve Karlei
CAST BIOS
Bryan Bennett (A Voice Not Unlike God’s, Customer, Bernstein, Ensemble, u/s Orin): Bryan is a third year mechanical engineering major. This is his first musical at Penn State Harrisburg. After graduation, he plans to specialize in prosthetics and biotechnology.
Bryan participated in his first CAWP competition this year. He plans to get a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Laine Blatt (Crystal): Laine is a first year engineering major. She has been involved in musical theater for almost nine years and is very excited to finally be back on stage.
She would like to thank her friends, family, and boyfriend for all of their support!
Brendan Christ (Orin): Brendan is a third year psychology major with minors in criminal justice and theatre. He is extremely excited to be a part of his third theatrical production at Penn State Harrisburg. He is saddened by the lack of theatre caused by Covid, but is looking forward to the future! He previously portrayed a member of the interlude ensemble during Penn State Harrisburg’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest (Interlude Ensemble) and participated in the short-lived production of Cabaret (Kit-Kat Boy) in the Spring of 2020. He was also cast in Penn State Harrisburg’s production of Machinal (Ensemble). He is an active member of the Kulkarni Production Team and cannot wait to create more memories with Penn State!
Peter Cote’ (Seymour Krelborn) is a first year film production major. While this is his first show on campus, Peter has been performing since 2006. His experience has included shows such as Noises Off, Clue, and The Crucible. He would like to thank his family for their support.
Ashleigh Cummings (Ronnette): Ashleigh’s a second year american studies graduate stu.dent and has been performing since childhood. She has been in The Wizard of Oz, Once Upon A Mattress, Footloose and Annie. She’s happy to be back in theater and thanks her parents, Kate Rockwell and Samantha Pauly for their love and support.
Katelyn Isbill (u/s Audrey): Katelyn Isbill is a first year student studying education at Penn State Harrisburg. She is a member of Thespian Troupe 4202. She has taken part in 5 productions, and will be the understudy for “Audrey” in the spring production of
Little Shop of Horrors.
Grace Jentsch (u/s Crystal, Ronnette, Chiffon): Grace is a junior psychology major and theater minor. Most recently, she was Jenny in Penn State Harrisburg’s production of Mr. Burns in spring 2021. Outside of theater, Grace is a member of the school’s volleyball team. She is so proud of all of the amazing work that this cast and crew has put into this production and thanks them all for their support in learning the Urchins roles.
Myah Koepfer (Audrey): Myah is a third year communications major and a theater minor. Although she has been fortunate to partake in shows prior to the pandemic, this will be her Kulkarni Theatre debut. Myah also teaches dance at EM Studios in Hershey. Shoutout to Mom and Madison: the true blondes in the family!
Grant Komm (Audrey II Puppeteer, Wino I, u/s Mushnik): Majoring in electrical engineering with a theatre minor, Grant is a freshman at Penn State Harrisburg. Having worked as a tech for Paso Robles High School’s production of Mamma Mia!, Grant discovered a great interest in the performing arts. His first time on stage, Grant is thrilled to grow both as an actor and as The Plant!
Lase Mayowa (Chiffon): Lase is in her second year of college majoring in human centered design and development and is planning to minor in theater. She was an understudy in the Curious Incident production in the fall of 2021 and she is playing as an Urchin in the spring 2022 production Little Shop of Horrors. Thanks to all of my friends and family for your support!
M Schreiber (Mushnik, u/s Seymour): Schreiber, a junior public policy major, is excited to be performing in his first show at Penn State Harrisburg (as a student, at least). He enjoys being involved in theatre in a variety of different ways, having been a costumer, director, lighting designer, producer, props master, sound designer, stage manager, and (unfortunately) goat handler. He would like to thank his parents for all their support.
Jack Sisco (Voice of Audrey II): Jack is a first year at Penn State Harrisburg as an aerospace engineering major. As the first show he was in was canceled due to Covid, this is his first time performing and he’s very excited to be working with everyone who made this show possible. I want to thank my family, my girlfriend, and my hamster for always loving and supporting me.
Kelleigh Stevenson (Interviewer/Skip Snip/Ensemble): Kelleigh is a senior creative writing major with psychology and theatre minors. She has been lucky enough to perform in almost every show during her career at Penn State Harrisburg and is thrilled to be back on stage doing what she loves. Thank you to everyone who’s supported her through her theatre endeavors, both in high school and college, and a huge thank you to everyone who has come to watch her final bow on the Kulkarni Theatre stage.
Maddie Steverman (Ensemble) is a senior education major and is set to graduate in May. When she’s not wrangling second graders, she can be found sitting in Biscottis drinking her first (or second or third) coffee of the day, alongside many of her castmates. This is her fourth show at Penn State Harrisburg and she was previously seen as RONA in 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee, MISS PRISM in The Importance of Being Earnest, and FRAULEIN KOST in Cabaret. She wants to say a special thank you to her Mom and Craig for making it all the way from Massachusetts to come see her in her final show.
PRODUCTION TEAM BIOS
Becky Arney (Props Master): Becky Arney is excited to join the production team for her first show at the Kulkarni Theatre! She has worked in a props and backstage capacity at Open Stage, Theatre Harrisburg, Gamut, CASA and Susquehanna Township High School. By day, Becky works as a paralegal at Claraval & Claraval.
Dan Burke (Fight Director): Dan has been choreographing fights up and down the East coast for over 30 years at professional regional theatres, community theatres, colleges, universities and high schools. He received his training at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia where he earned a B.F.A. in Acting with an emphasis in stage combat. Dan has taught master classes in stage combat at many colleges and universities, as well as a full semester course at Lebanon Valley College, York College and Fairfield University.
Wally Calderon (Choreographer): Originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Wally Calderon earned his BFA in music theatre performance and direction from Ohio Northern University. For over 15 years, Wally traveled the country as a freelance
performer, director, and choreographer. Notable stays include the Miracle Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, The Palace Theatre in Manchester, New Hampshire, Hersheypark, and the highly credited Stagedoor Manor in upstate New York. Wally moved to Lancaster in 2012 where he spent five amazing years holding multiple positions at Sight & Sound Theatres. He considers it an honor and a blessing to be in his fifth year as artistic director of Servant Stage Company, and to be a part of a community that is so supportive of the arts in
Lancaster. “Special thanks to my wonderful wife Andrea and my two sweetest daughters, Joyanna and Juliet. Also special thanks to fellow ONU Polar Bear, Maria, and this wonderful cast and crew for welcoming me to their party!”
Emily Dempsey (Box Office Manager, Set Painter): Emily is a graduate of Penn State Harrisburg with a B.A. in English and a minor in theatre. She has worked for the Kulkarni Theatre as a technical assistant, was the Secretary for the campus’s Capital Players Theatre Club, and has stage managed and performed in several School of Humanities’ productions. Emily has also worked as a production assistant for Gamut Theatre’s Harrisburg Shakespeare Company. She feels blessed to work alongside her talented fiancé, Jesse E. Goranson.
Maria Enriquez (Production Manager/Director) is the assistant teaching professor of Theatre at Penn State Harrisburg. Maria received her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, and her MFA in Performance from Arizona State University, where she trained in Suzuki and Viewpoints with Anne Bogart and the SITI Company. Maria is a company member at Lancaster’s only Latinx theatre company Teatro Paloma, and previously was an Artistic Associate with Teatro Luna in Chicago. She acted/directed at Victory Gardens Theatre, Chicago Dramatist, Cleveland Public Theatre, 16th Street Theatre, Mortar Theatre, Seattle ACT, and performed in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At Penn State Harrisburg, Maria directed Death of a Salesman, Proof, Avenue Q, She Kills Monsters, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Machinal in Fall 2020, which was recognized at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Thank you to the cast and crew for your creative artistry, and much love to my friends, family, and LRB for bringing the joy!
Jesse Goranson (Multimedia Designer): Since graduating Penn State Harrisburg with a M.A. in community psychology and a theatre minor in 2021, Jesse has been working as a production assistant with the Kulkarni Theatre and Event Technology Services at Penn State Harrisburg. Jesse was heavily involved with the theatre program at Penn State Harrisburg during his time as a student; re-founding the Capitol Players Theatre club, directing a production of Oedipus Rex, and being involved with every fall play and spring musical since the Kulkarni Theatre opened. He would like to give a shout out to Emily, who he loves and respects very much <3
Stephanie Jones (Costume Designer): Costume shop manager: Great River Shakespeare Festival, 2017 to present. Resident designer/costume shop manager,University of Utah School of Dance. Utah Ballet Gala, Various pieces, 2017/2019. Mama Mia, Totem Pole Playhouse; The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, the Wizard of Oz, Gamut Theatre Group. Sweet Charity, Iolani, Hawaii. The Butterfly and Ruined, University of Hawaii at Manoa. Defiance, The Actors Group. Viral: The Musical,
University of Utah Theatre for Youth. The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Grand Theatre. Artistic director for Pacific Okinawa Players, 2004-2009, a military community theatre for service members who are stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
Genevieve Karki (Music Director): Genevieve Karki is a music instructor at Penn State Harrisburg and the Harrisburg Area Community College. She is also the worship director at Lampeter UMC. She is completing a doctorate in music education at Boston
University and is a graduate of Duquesne and Penn State. She has been at Penn State Harrisburg for 11 years and has been the music director for several other productions. She lives in Lancaster with her husband and two sons and is always excited to work with our excellent and dedicated students.
Lily Kelly (Asst. Stage Manager): Lily is a first year criminal justice student at Penn State Harrisburg. She has acted in a total of 12 productions and will be acting as an assistant stage manager for the spring production of Little Shop of Horrors.
Sophy Leiva (Asst. Stage Manager): Sophy Leiva is a second-year communications major with a minor in theatre. This is her third show at Penn State Harrisburg, but this is her first show as an assistant stage manager! She has been an actor since she was 15, but she has backstage experience as a props master for Into the Woods and The Fall of the House of Usher, and as a costume designer for Seussical and White Christmas for Century High School’s Opening Knights. Most recently, she was a make-up and hair
artist for Players on Air’s rendition of Jesus Christ Superstar. She is excited to have worked with her fellow cast and crewmates and hopes you enjoy the show!
Elizabeth Lynch (Projection Designer): Elizabeth graduated with a marketing degree and worked as a freelance designer. This is her third production animating projection designs. Previously, she worked on projections for the Kulkarni Theatre’s production of The
Importance of Being Earnest and Theatre Harrisburg’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. In her free time, she practices product photography, you can find her work @lizardcreatives on Instagram! She would like to thank her friends for being moral support and beyond!
Matthew Mitra (Set and Lighting Designer/Technical Director) is a staff member at Penn State Harrisburg. He is the production manager/technical director for the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre. He is also an adjunct faculty member in the School of Humanities. He was the production designer for The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Nighttime in the fall semester; Machinal in fall 2020; The Importance of Being Earnest in fall 2019; Spelling Bee in spring 2019; She Kills Monsters in fall 2018; and for Death of a Salesman and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson in the 2017-18 academic year. Before coming to Penn State Harrisburg, he was a staff member at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. He worked for the media services department as the full-time lighting designer and as an adjunct faculty member in the theatre program. Matt serves as the resident lighting designer for Theatre Harrisburg under his business, Mitra Production Aesthetics, LLC. He received his M.F.A. in lighting design at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and graduated from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania with his B.A. in theatre: production and design.
Abigail Palaski (Production Supervisor): Abigail is the production supervisor of the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre. She has previously worked as the technical/operations director at the Community Theatre League in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and as the production manager at the Millbrook Playhouse in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.
Thomas Perry (Assistant Director): Thomas is a Penn State Harrisburg alum, having graduated last spring with a B.A. in communications and a minor in theatre. While he usually performed onstage during his time at Penn State Harrisburg, he was more than excited to step into a directorial role to better understand the directing process for Little Shop of Horrors. He would like to thank Maria for this insightful learning opportunity as well as Mark and the rest of the cast, crew, and production team for making this show one to remember!
Mark Shelleman (Stage Manager): Mark is an elementary vocal music teacher at South Side Elementary in the Central Dauphin School District. Mark’s favorite onstage role was The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, but over the last 2 decades he has enjoyed many different roles including, spot light operator, stage crew, producer, asst. stage manager, and (his favorite) stage managing. He would like to thank Matt and Maria for trusting him with this production, the cast for being lovely people, and the production team for making his job easy. Love to my parents, brother, and Sassy.